Tucson Smile
by Bill Leyden
About this track
He only stopped for gas — but sometimes the road has other plans. A smile across a diner counter in Tucson was all it took to knock the dust off his charm. By the time he hit the highway again, he wasn’t sure if he was running from her or chasing that feeling. Either way, it followed him in the mirror — that Tucson smile. lyrics [Verse 1] Pulled off for gas on the edge of town, Dust on the hood, sun beatin’ down. Inside the diner, fan barely turns, Coffee strong enough to make you burn. She poured a cup, said “Hot enough?” And laughed before I could reply — There it was, that Tucson smile, Made a grown man shy. [Chorus] That Tucson smile could melt a rear-view mirror, Make a fool think he could stay. Half a minute, half a mile, Took my breath and drove away. I’ve seen faces cross this country, But none that caught me for a while — Like the one that filled the doorway, With that Tucson smile. [Verse 2] She asked where I was headed next, I said, “Anywhere but home.” She said, “You sound like half the men Who end up here alone.” I laughed and tipped too heavy, She knew the type before the trial — Still she winked and said, “Drive safe,” With that Tucson smile. [Bridge] Sunlight bounced off chrome and glass, Her shadow stretched across the floor. I caught my face in her reflection — Didn’t look the same no more. [Final Chorus] That Tucson smile could melt a rear-view mirror, Make a drifter lose his way. Half a minute, half a mile, Took my breath and drove away. If I never see her again, I’ll still see it for a while — Every mile that rolls behind me, That Tucson smile. [Tag] Mmm… every mile that lies ahead Feels the pull of that Tucson smile.